Music Technology Links

freesound.iua.upf.edu
www.pdsounds.org
www.garageband.com
www.librivox.org
www.thefreesite.com/Free_Sounds
www.sounddogs.com
www.ilovewavs.com
www.wavsource.com
www.sound-effect.com
www.freeloops.com
www.free-loops.com
www.platinumloops.com
www.looperman.com
www.a1freesoundeffects.com
www.sound-effects-library.com

Thurs., Nov. 8

[Reading Guide 01]

[Reading]
Tozzoli, Rich (2007). Loops, Beats & Samples. In Tune, 4 (4), 50-52.

[Reading]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution_9

This is [panning ].

This is [fading ].

Fri., Nov. 9

Watch these introductions to Sony ACID.

[Clip 1]

Create a drum remix of a clip from I Heard It Through The Grape Vine.

1. Import the track
2. Beatmap the track
3. Load other sounds
4. Track Properties >>> One Shot
5. Embellish Song
6. Render as .mp3 Grape Vine - [last names].mp3

!!! HOMEWORK !!!
Bring in a personal .mp3 song to create your own remix. See if you can find a song without drums.

Mon., Nov. 10

Finish work on Grapevine.

Tues., Nov. 11

Import your own music into Acid. Remember to use .mp3 or .wma. Bring your music on a flash drive or CD.

Wed., Nov. 12

Share Grapevine recordings with class. Beatmap your own music.

Continue work on your own music. Remember the time requirement is 1:00 of completed music. Today listen for appropriate places to change your drum grooves. (e.g. every 16 or 32 counts)

Fri., Nov. 14

Polish your own music. Export and render as .mp3. Hand in to homework folder with name: MyMusic - lastnames.mp3.

Mon., Nov. 17

Share your own music project with class. Learn simple recording.

Recording options

• (1) USB mic
  • Plug USB mic before starting software
  • Double click speaker icon
  • Options >>> Properties >>> Recording
  • Mixer device is Samson C01U >>> OK
  • This slider is your input volume
    
• Built-in mic
  • Double click speaker icon
  • Options >>> Properties >>> Recording >>> Check mark all 4 boxes
  • Select from which source you wish to record
    • Internal Mic
• Bring your own 1/8" jack mic from home.
  • Double click speaker icon
  • Options >>> Properties >>> Recording >>> Check mark all 4 boxes
  • Select from which source you wish to record
    • External Mic

Anytime you are recording, the mic will record everything it hears including other groups and the playback tracks.
(especially if you are recording with the internal mic)

Record 10 one-shot samples.
Save as .mp3 in your I drive.
Name the files appropriately.
One-shot sound suggestions: hand clap, finger snap, claves, shaker, foot stomp, vibraslap, triangle, rain stick, chimes, wind chimes, cowbell, hand drums, bass drum, toms, cymbal hit, cymbal roll, drum roll, snare hit, snare roll, high hat open, high hat closed, timpani, bells, vibraphone, xylophone, marimba, piano, electronic keyboard, any other sound(s) that can be stitched together to create music.

Any instrument not in the Community Box will require special permission to use and play.

Tues., Nov. 18

Finish recording the 10 one-shot sound samples.
Experiment recording a 4 count beat from a single instrument. (on screen demo)
Try inserting your created beat as a loop and set it to a beatmapped .mp3.
Do they match? Why or why not?

Wed., Nov. 19

Edit your recorded one-shot samples.

Using Audacity, open each >>> Trim attack >>> Trim release (not too much) >>> Set dynamics >>> Re-save
Hold on to these. We will come back next week and put them to use.

Thurs., Nov. 20

Learn about melodic loops. Learn about musical form. Read [this].

Create a song from loops and samples that demonstrates rondo form.

1. Must use 10 tracks minimum. (no percussion tracks)
2. Must be 1:00 minimum.
3. Must utilize panning and fading.
4. Must be all original music.
5. Be sure to clearly demonstrate rondo form.
6. Balance the track volumes to a mix you like. Be sure your master volume does not clip.
7. Hand in a .acd file named "rondo - lastnames.acd." [rubric ]

Fri., Nov. 21

Learn about musical form. Read [this].

Create a song from loops and samples that demonstrates sonata form.

1. Must use 16 tracks minimum. (no percussion tracks)
2. Must be 1:15 minimum.
3. Must utilize panning and fading.
4. Must utilize (1) digital effect.
5. Must be all original music.
6. Be sure to clearly demonstrate sonata form.
7. Balance the track volumes to a mix you like. Be sure your master volume does not clip.
8. Hand in a .acd file named "sonata - lastnames.acd." [rubric ]

Mon., Nov. 24

See Thurs., Nov. 20

Tues., Nov., 25

See Fri., Nov. 21

Wed., Nov 26

Share you best work with class.

Mon., Dec. 1

Sony Acid study guide
Complete any unfinished work

Tues., Dec. 2

Sony Acid Exam (2hr weather delay)

Wed., Dec 3

Finish Sony Acid Exam

Thurs., Dec. 4

Introduce Cakewalk Sonar
Watch 2 YouTube clips
Onscreen demo in class
Practice recording one-shots with USB mics

Fri., Dec. 5

Complete any audio puzzle
Save as .WMA

Mon., Dec. 8

Complete audio puzzle
Save as .wma

Tues., Dec. 9

Read (2) articles.
Complete [reading guide] .

Article 1 - Digital Sound
Article 2 - Digital Sound
Article 3 - Movie Sound

Learn how to mix sound. On-screen demo to prepare for tomorrow.

Wed., Dec. 10

Learn how to mix sound
On screen demo

Thurs., Dec. 11

Record a continuous one-minute music excerpt of someone in class (you or a friend) playing legitimate music with the software metronome. What is legitimate music? It is easier to describe what it is not. Legitimate music is NOT: beating a cow bell, noodling on a piano, random notes on a xylophone etc. Your musician may perform on any melodic instrument. (most of you will probably use guitar.) The MIDI keyboards are available to you if you desire. Singing will also work for this project.

Record 3 to 5 takes of the same music excerpt. Be sure to record each take to a new track. Do not delete or record over any of your takes. Even a take with some errors can be useful on down the production line. You may work in your teams but everyone will have their own recording for this project.

On-screen demo to prepare for tomorrow.

Fri., Dec 12

Learn how to edit/splice audio takes. Create a single throughput of audio from your recorded takes.

Mon., Dec. 15

Using one-shots and loops create a percussion track for your recording. *Remember creating a good sequence of 4 counts and copy/pasting is a fast way to complete this project in one class session.

Render as .wma on your desktop. Listen to it and copy to the w: drive.

Tues., Dec. 16

Re-create a song.
Choose a favorite tune that you believe you can re-create.
Locate lyrics, music, and/or tabs for your song. Print these off in the library and do not loose them!
You will be performing every part of your song. Have your song and sheet music/tabs approved my Mr. Criss.

Wed., Dec. 17

Today setup a percussion track using one-shots or loops. You must use Sonar but you may use Acid loops in the Sonar program. Be sure to pay careful attention to the metronome. This is the glue that will hold all your tracks together.

Thurs., Dec 18

Today record/program the bass line. The (3) most common ways to tackle this is A) record yourself performing bass guitar, B) record yourself playing keyboard/piano, C) program a MIDI bass line in Sonar.

Save your project in two locations. Have your project clearly labeled so you can easily locate it after break.

Fri., Dec 19

Lip Sync

Tues., Jan. 6

Closed Project Graduation

Start Open ended projects

Plan any project you would like to attempt. Think the project through from beginning to end. Provide the following information.

What do you want to do?

Will this is a solo or group project? Who is in the group. Describe each group member's role and responsibility.

Create a project timeline. What will you do first? How will you accomplish this? What software will you use? Will you need to bring guitars/cables/adapters?

How long are you requesting to complete your project?

Wed., Jan. 7

No school

Thurs., Jan. 8

Project time

Fri., Jan. 9

Project time

Mon., Jan. 12

Project time

Tues., Jan. 13

Project time

Wed., Jan. 14

Project time

Thurs., Jan. 15

Project time

Fri., Jan. 16

Project time

Mon., Jan. 19

Two-week projects due

Tues., Jan. 20

Two-week projects due

Wed., Jan. 21

Video Project [rubric ]

Choose a video clip from the W: drive. You may cut/splice/merge video clip segments together. You must receive approval to bring in and use other any other video clips.
Create all audio music and sounds.
Minimum requirements

1. One minute minimum video length
2. 45+ seconds of "live" music
   1. once this is met you may use canned music
3. 10+ sound effects (3+7)
   1. Use a minimum of 3 custom sound effects. be sure to complete the sound effects sheet. The remainding sound effects may be canned
4. 3+ voice recordings
   1. These may be speaking or vocal singing
5. Provide sufficient audio to bring a sense of realism to the clip
   1. This is the most important item!!!

Wed., Feb. 4

Final Cumulative Project

Choose one of the following projects.
Have your project and details ideas cleared with Mr. Criss
Every other day you will have a checkpoint meeting with Mr. Criss to check progress for a grade and provide tips and advice.

Project A)
Music Video
You are a video producer for MTV. Your task is to create your next music video. Each and every part of the music video must be originally created by you. You will first create and record the music. Your song must be written in an approved musical form (e.g. rondo, sonata, etc...there are more than only those discussed in class). Once all the music in created, performed and recorded, you will record the video with a digital photo camera in video mode. You will import the video clips into Movie Maker/Cakewalk and cut/splice them into sequence with your music.
Requirements
Time - 2 minutes 30 seconds
5 Tracks - Vocal, guitar, bass guitar, drums, plus acoustic instrument. Each instrument should be with purpose and intent (e.g. a triangle playing repeated quarter notes for 60 seconds does not qualify).
Video clips max length - 10 seconds
Tips
Use your time wisely. You will every day, hour and minutes to complete this project successfully.
Consider all the required equipment. (e.g. you will need to provide your own digital camera)
Many aspects of this project can be worked on independently. You can work and create many individually elements at home to maximize classroom time.

Project B)
Commercial
You are a TV producer. Your task is to create a commercial for any one of these possible products: movie, video game, political campaign, public service announcement. You may use clips from the internet (youtube) or record you own video. Every other part of the video must be originally created by you. You will first create a draft storyboard of clips used. Create the silent video first. Add background music. The background music you create must fit an approved musical form. (There are more than just rondo and sonata.) Next you will add all other sound elements. Any vocal sound must be speaking only. All non-speaking audio must be created without vocals. Use a balance of downloaded sounds and accousticly created sounds.
Requirements
Time - 2 minutes 30 seconds
Music - 2 minutes minimum
Everything should be centered around your product or purpose.
Tips
Use your time wisely. You will every day, hour and minutes to complete this project successfully.
Consider all the required materials. (e.g. you will need to give thought to where/how you will capture your video)
Many aspects of this project can be worked on independently. You can work and create many individually elements at home to maximize classroom time.

Thurs., Feb. 5

Fri., Feb. 6

Mon., Feb. 9

Tues., Feb. 10

Wed., Feb. 11

Thurs., Feb. 12

Fri., Feb. 13

Mon., Feb. 16

Tues., Feb. 17

Wed., Feb. 18